43 Facts About Frederick Benteen

Frederick William Benteen was a military officer who first fought during the American Civil War.

Frederick Benteen was appointed to commanding ranks during the Indian Campaigns and Great Sioux War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne.

Frederick Benteen subsequently served in the US Cavalry another 12 years, being both honored by promotion and disgraced with a conviction for drunkenness by a military tribunal.

Frederick Benteen retired for health reasons in 1888, and lived a further decade until his death from natural causes at age 63.

Frederick Benteen was born August 24,1834, in Petersburg, Virginia, to Theodore Charles Benteen and his wife Caroline Benteen.

Frederick Benteen was educated at the Petersburg Classical Institute, where he was first trained in military drill.

Frederick Benteen's family moved to St Louis, Missouri, in 1849.

Frederick Benteen participated in numerous battles during the American Civil War, among them the battles of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, and Westport.

On February 27,1864, Frederick Benteen was promoted to lieutenant colonel and commander of the 10th Missouri Cavalry.

Frederick Benteen was mustered out at the war's end on June 30,1865.

Frederick Benteen led the regiment from July 1865 to January 6,1866, when it was mustered out.

Frederick Benteen received brevets of major for the Battle of Mine Creek and lieutenant colonel for the Battle of Columbus.

In January 1867, Frederick Benteen departed for his new assignment with the 7th US Cavalry Regiment and its field commander Lt.

Frederick Benteen was assigned to this regiment for 16 years, through many of the Indian Wars.

Until 1882, except for periods of leave and detached duty, Frederick Benteen commanded H Troop of the 7th US Cavalry.

On January 30,1867, Frederick Benteen made a customary courtesy call to the quarters of Custer and his wife Elizabeth.

Frederick Benteen said later that he regarded Custer as a braggart from their first meeting.

Meanwhile, on March 27,1867, Frederick Benteen's wife gave birth to their son in Atlanta.

In late July 1868, Frederick Benteen led an expedition to provide security for the Indian agents near Fort Larned.

Frederick Benteen charged into a force of what appeared to be about fifty warriors.

Frederick Benteen pursued the Cheyenne without rest until dark, engaging them throughout the day without respite.

Frederick Benteen drove off the warriors, saving the wagon train from capture.

Frederick Benteen's horse was shot from under him by a son of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle.

Frederick Benteen yelled he would spare the boy's life if he dropped the revolver, and made the peace sign.

The boy fired a third time, although Frederick Benteen was making friendly overtures.

Frederick Benteen concluded that Custer had abandoned Elliott and wrote to a friend criticizing the senior officer over this.

Captain Frederick Benteen still commanded H Troop of the Seventh US Cavalry regiment during an 1876 expedition to find the Lakota and Cheyenne and force them onto reservations.

Frederick Benteen assigned Benteen command of a battalion comprising Troops D, H and K, tasked with searching on the left flank and securing any possible escape route.

Frederick Benteen searched fruitlessly through rough ground for about two hours before returning to the trail of the main column.

Frederick Benteen has been criticized by some military analysts because he failed to obey instructions.

Frederick Benteen received the note, he read it, he thought enough of it to tuck it in a pocket, but he did not get the ammunition packs and rush forward to Custer's aid.

Frederick Benteen explained to the 1879 Court of Inquiry why he did what he did, and his reasoning is equally clear from subsequent remarks.

Frederick Benteen thought it impossible to obey; to do so would have been suicide.

Whatever his reluctance earlier, Frederick Benteen took charge of the force, leading at least one, perhaps three, charges which drove the Indians back just as it seemed the soldiers would be overrun.

Cool and calm, Frederick Benteen walked among his troops encouraging them.

Frederick Benteen was wounded in the thumb, and the heel was shot off one of his boots.

Later they rode to the battlefield, where Frederick Benteen identified Custer's body.

Frederick Benteen was brevetted brigadier general on February 27,1890, for his actions in that campaign at the Battle of Canyon Creek, as well as for his earlier actions at the Little Bighorn.

Frederick Benteen testified at the Reno Court of Inquiry in 1879 in Chicago.

Frederick Benteen was promoted to major, 9th US Cavalry, in December 1882.

Frederick Benteen was convicted and faced dismissal from the Army, but President Grover Cleveland reduced his sentence to a one-year suspension.

Frederick Benteen retired on July 7,1888, citing disability from rheumatism and heart disease.

Frederick Benteen and Catherine had five children, four of whom died in infancy: Caroline Elizabeth, born in July 1863 at St Louis; died before her first birthday; Katherine Norman, born in December 1868 at Fort Harker, Kansas; died a year later; Francis "Fannie" Gibson Norman, born in April 1872 at Nashville, Tennessee; died at eight months; Theodore Norman, born April 1875 at Fort Rice, North Dakota; died that winter.